‘Jays open season in the Hodag Dome
Athens has lots of talent back for 2023 season
By Casey Krautkramer
The Athens varsity softball team got off to a rough start by losing all three of its games during last weekend’s tournament at the Hodag Dome in Rhinelander, but thankfully these were the team’s first contests in a long season of games. If anything, the squad learned from its mistakes in its 3-2 loss to Thorp and larger deficit losses to much bigger schools Hayward and Wausau West.
There is no reason for Athens varsity head coach Craig Diedrich to worry about his team this season, because it boasts a ton of talent and experience. This is Diedrich’s 23rd year as the school’s head varsity softball coach. His high school assistant coaches this season are fifth-year coach Emily Roesler, fourth-year coach Kyncaide Keefe and third-year coach William Coker. Kara Diers and Lindsy York are the middle school coaches this spring.
The Athens varsity softball team has eight returning starters this season.
“This experience should yield a great deal of success this season,” Diedrich said.
The Bluejays’ top returning players are senior catcher and centerfielder Elle Gauerke, senior right fielder Celina Ellenbecker, junior third baseman Addison Lavicka, junior first baseman Sydney Coker, junior centerfi elder Paige Westaby, junior designated hitter Jenna Handschke, junior second baseman Sophia Coker and junior shortstop Jazelle Hartwig.
Athens’ top newcomers to this year’s varsity squad are sophomore catcher and outfielder Abby Diethelm and sophomore pitcher Danica Diethelm.
Danica Diethelm is the team’s new ace pitcher this season since Sierra Hart graduated from high school last spring. Diedrich describes Diethelm’s strengths in the pitcher’s circle.
“Sierra was an impactful player and she did a super job for us and will be missed,” Diedrich said. “Danica has a huge upside. She throws harder than the average pitcher in our area and she will continue to get better throughout this season.”
Athens is hoping to win the Marawood North Conference championship, although Diedrich said his team will have stiff competition from Chequamegon and Phillips for the title crown this season.
“The best thing we can do is focus on what we need to do,” Diedrich said. “Our team is talented and we need to play Athens softball each and every game.”
Last season’s squad lost to Thorp by only one run in the WIAA Division 5 regional championship in Athens. Thorp went on to win the sectional championship to advance to the state tournament, where it lost in the state semifinal to eventual state champion Wisconsin Rapids Assumption.
“If the girls had forgotten, I did remind them of the loss to Thorp last season,” Diedrich said. “We are more focused on this year rather than stewing over what happened or didn’t happen in 2022.”
The Athens varsity softball team has never played in the state tournament, therefore Diedrich is unsure what the map is for his team to advance to state for the first time in school history this season.
“Athens will field a very talented group of players,” Diedrich said. “I have never coached a team to the state tournament so I really don’t know what it will take. If I knew that, I would have shared the secret with my team every year and we would have advanced to state with prior teams. The 2023 Athens softball squad is very talented but the girls will need to play consistently each and every game.”
